“Sichuan Airlines will operate twice weekly flights with its Airbus A330-200 aircraft, providing more than 50,000 seats per year on the important Chongqing-Sydney route.

“Chongqing is a major manufacturing centre, transportation hub and one of China’s emerging megacities. With around 30 million residents, the city has a greater population than Australia.

“Sydney is a fantastic destination for Sichuan Airlines, as it’s Australia’s tourism and business capital, and home to almost half of all Chinese-born people in Australia.

“This new route further strengthens Sydney Airport’s status as Australia’s gateway to China, with services to all the major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and soon Chongqing in western China.

“Chinese passengers are our fastest growing passenger group and we expect this new service to further stimulate growth.

“By the end of the year, we’ll have 95 flights per week offered by nine carriers to greater China, increasing to 100 flights per week for the peak summer season early next year.